Monday Matinee: This is the End (2013)

As I sit here thinking back on this movie, I am clueless about how to describe it.  But there is one thing for sure...I HAVE to tell you about it.  As a strong recommendation?  A dire warning?  Maybe both.  All I know is that a couple days have passed and we are still quoting the movie and breaking out into stupid maniacal laughing over it.

First of all, this core group of actors who are at the center of the story are real-life friends and have worked together on multiple projects...think Pineapple Express, Hot Tub Time Machine, Superbad, Tropic Thunder.  In fact the entire movie is like a giant game of Six Degrees of Separation.  Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg, who wrote and directed this film, have pulled in anyone and everyone they know for a gigantic party.

The basic premise is that childhood friends Seth Rogan and Jay Baruchel, playing themselves, have gotten together at Seth's place in LA for a weekend of debauchery and bonding.  After smoking weed, eating junk food and playing video games all day, they decide to go to James Franco's housewarming party at his new mansion.  The party is a coke-snorting, ass-grabbing mosh pit of Hollywood actors.  In the middle of all the fun, the apocalypse occurs.  Casualties abound (Michael Cera gets speared by a street light and Rihanna falls into a hellpit).  A core group of guys barricade themselves in Franco's house and try to survive the end of days.  But the gang has baggage.  There is a history of bad blood, jealousy and hurt feelings that go way back.  Just the thing you need when a demon is trying to eat you.
   

I read in an interview that at least once during the filming of this movie, every actor protested against something they were asked to do.  Except James Franco (which makes me love him even more).  Whether it is playing soccer with a disembodied head, being raped by the devil, peeing in one's own mouth because of a water shortage, being a cannibal, or things even more unspeakable...this film is so full of outlandish, over-the-top tastelessness, it is guaranteed to offend you at some point.  (My husband and I are pretty teflon-coated, but I snuck a peak at him at one stage, and his face was a total twisted mask of revulsion but was laughing at the same time.)

All of the actors play themselves, but as part of the fun, their characters are a combination of their true selves and something completely OPPOSITE of their true selves.  Michael Cera, who is apparently the quietest, more diminutive guy, plays a complete obnoxious drugged-out chauvinist.  Emma Watson becomes an ax-wielding booze-thief.  Channing Tatum is an S&M sex slave!

And that is just the thing.  IF (big if) you are not easily offended, this movie could possibly be something that you will be quoting for the next 20 years.  Like The Big Lebowski or Caddyshack.  It is that damn funny.  My stomach hurt when I walked out of the theater.  It isn't like most comedies where the funniest parts are spoiled in the trailer.  There are so many moments of pure hilarity here, there are too many to count.

Or you could totally hate it.  I don't think it is possible to fall somewhere in between.

You have been warned.  Just...leave your proprieties at the door, and don't judge me for loving it!

5 out of 5 stars